Hook-shaped water bottle that slides and hooks into a waistband or belt

ABSTRACT

A water bottle has a hook-shaped design that allows a user to easily slide it into a waistband or into a pocket without requiring extra hardware to attach it. The hook of the bottle rests on the waistband and the lower portion water bottle stays put, tucked inside the user&#39;s waistband while the person is in motion. A runner, for example, can run efficiently while carrying the water bottle, allowing them to utilize something they are already wearing—their waistband. The contoured shape of the bottle allows the runner or active individual to easily remove the bottle for drinking and slide it back into the waistband without much effort. The contoured shape comfortably rests against the body so that runners/individuals sometime forget it is on the waistband.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/497,402, filed Jun. 15, 2011, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to water bottles and, more particularly, to a water bottle that is hook-shaped and adapted to slide and hook into a waistband or belt.

Current water bottle designs all require some type of extra hardware, such as a belt or clip, to allow the user to attach it to his or her body or clothing when on the go.

Runners currently either hold their water bottle, which is heavy and does not allow a smooth/efficient running form. Alternately, runners can carry water bottles on a hydration belt, which can be cumbersome, chafe or move around. Hydration packs on the back are heavy, can move around, as well as cause chafing.

When runners or other active individuals hold their water bottle, their running form is compromised and thus, they run less efficient and their arms get sore. Hydration packs, while solving the issue of sore arms, pose other problems, such as difficulties in use, bouncing/moving around, and causing chafing.

As can be seen, there is a need for an improved water bottle that can be easily secured to the individual, readily accessed and overcomes the deficiencies of the conventional systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a water bottle comprises a water bottle body having an open top end; a top operable to removably attach to the open top end of the water bottle body; and a bottle hook portion extending from the water bottle body, the bottle hook portion forming a hook facing away from the open top end of the water bottle body, wherein the water bottle body, on a side opposite the bottle hook portion thereof, has a contour configured to contour to a user's body at their waistband.

In another aspect of the present invention, a hook-shaped water bottle comprises water bottle body having an open top end; a top operable to removably attach to the open top end of the water bottle body; a bottle hook portion extending from the water bottle body, the bottle hook portion forming a hook facing away from the open top end of the water bottle body; and grip protrusions formed on an outer surface of the water bottle, the grip protrusions disposed below the bottle hook portion, wherein the water bottle body, on a side opposite the bottle hook portion thereof, has a contour configured to contour to a user's body at their waistband; and the bottle hook portion is disposed where a volume inside the water bottle body below the bottle hook portion is greater than a volume inside the water bottle body above the bottle hook portion.

In a further aspect of the present invention, a method for carrying a water bottle comprises providing a user with a water bottle, the water bottle having a water bottle body having an open top end, a top operable to removably attach to the open top end of the water bottle body, and a bottle hook portion extending from the water bottle body, the bottle hook portion forming a hook facing away from the open top end of the water bottle body; and disposing a portion of the water bottle below the bottle hook portion into the user's waistband, where the bottle hook portion retains the water bottle on the user's waistband.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a runner using a hook-shaped water bottle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the hook-shaped water bottle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the hook-shaped water bottle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the hook-shaped water bottle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the hook-shaped water bottle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the hook-shaped water bottle of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a water bottle having a hook-shaped design that allows a user to easily slide it into a waistband or into a pocket without requiring extra hardware to attach it. The hook of the bottle rests on the waistband and the lower portion water bottle stays put, tucked inside the user's waistband while the person is in motion. A runner, for example, can run efficiently while carrying the water bottle, allowing them to utilize something they are already wearing—their waistband. The contoured shape of the bottle allows the runner or active individual to easily remove the bottle for drinking and slide it back into the waistband without much effort. The contoured shape comfortably rests against the body so that runners/individuals sometime forget it is on the waistband.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 7, a hook-shaped water bottle 10 can be used by a user 12, such as a runner, by sliding a lower end (opposite a screw-on top 16) into a waistband or pocket, with the lower end of the water bottle 10 resting between the user's shorts, for example, and the user's body. A threaded lip 18 can be provided at the top of the water bottle 10 for threading the top 16 thereupon. Various other mechanisms, however, for attaching the top 16 onto the top of the water bottle 10, are contemplated within the scope of the present invention. For example, a press on top, a snap-in top, or the like, may be used in the present invention. Typically, the top 16 will provide a seal with the remainder of the water bottle 10 so that the water stays in the bottle during an active workout, such as a run. The top 16 can be removed for filling and cleaning the water bottle 10.

The top 16 can include a spout adapted to permit a user to obtain water from inside the bottle 10. The spout can be of various designs, such as a pull spout that a user can open and close with their teeth, lips, hands, or the like.

The water bottle 10 can include grip protrusions 20 disposed on at least one side thereof. The grip protrusions 20 can be designed to help hold the water bottle 10 in place while in use. A logo area 22 can be provided on the water bottle 10 to permit a manufacturer, sponsor, or the like, to add a logo onto the water bottle 10. A fill line 24 can optionally be provided on the water bottle 10 to provide a level that, when willed with water 26 to that level, the bottle 10 is considered to be full.

A bottle hook portion 28 may extend from the water bottle. The bottle hook portion 28 may extend from the water bottle at a location where, when the water bottle 10 is filled with water 26, more water weight is disposed below the bottle hook portion 28 than above it. In other words, the volume inside the water bottle 10 below the bottle hook portion 28 is greater than the volume inside the water bottle 10 above the bottle hook portion 28, providing ample weight to hold the bottle in place while in the waistband 14 of the user 12.

The bottle hook portion 28 can act as a hook that can slide into a runner's or active individual's waistband or race belt. The bottle hook portion 28 rests nicely on the waistband 14 or race belt so that it does not slide down or move around. The water bottle's shape and thin/contoured profile design help the runner slide the bottle into their shorts smoothly and securely, without needing to look when placing the bottle in their shorts.

The water bottle 10 can be made of various components. For example, the body of the water bottle 10 can be made of a low density polyethylene (LDPE) while the spout can be made of a high density polyethylene (HDPE) thermoplastic. The components can be manufactured by various techniques, such as injection molding.

While the drawings show a particular relative size for the water bottle 10, it can be made in various sizes, depending on the intended user and/or the desired application. In some embodiments of the present invention, an insulation outer covering may be provided on the water bottle. The insulation layer can be, for example, a neoprene layer wrapped around the outside of the water bottle 10. This layer could help insulate the water temperature from the heat the body is giving off directly against the plastic. This layer could potentially keep the water cooler longer under hot conditions.

In some embodiments, an elastic hand strap may be provided along the water bottle. The hand strap can be useful to retain the water bottle to a user's hand during use.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

1. A water bottle comprising: a water bottle body having an open top end; a top operable to removably attach to the open top end of the water bottle body; and a bottle hook portion extending from the water bottle body, the bottle hook portion forming a hook facing away from the open top end of the water bottle body, wherein the water bottle body, on a side opposite the bottle hook portion thereof, has a contour configured to contour to a user's body at their waistband.
 2. The water bottle of claim 1, wherein the bottle hook portion is disposed where a volume inside the water bottle body below the bottle hook portion is greater than a volume inside the water bottle body above the bottle hook portion.
 3. The water bottle of claim 1, further comprising grip protrusions formed on an outer surface of the water bottle, the grip protrusions disposed below the bottle hook portion.
 4. The water bottle of claim 1, further comprising a logo area disposed on an outer surface of the water bottle.
 5. The water bottle of claim 1, further comprising a fill line disposed about the water bottle body.
 6. The water bottle of claim 1, wherein the top is operable to thread onto the open top end of the water bottle body.
 7. A hook-shaped water bottle comprising: water bottle body having an open top end; a top operable to removably attach to the open top end of the water bottle body; a bottle hook portion extending from the water bottle body, the bottle hook portion forming a hook facing away from the open top end of the water bottle body; and grip protrusions formed on an outer surface of the water bottle, the grip protrusions disposed below the bottle hook portion, wherein the water bottle body, on a side opposite the bottle hook portion thereof, has a contour configured to contour to a user's body at their waistband; and the bottle hook portion is disposed where a volume inside the water bottle body below the bottle hook portion is greater than a volume inside the water bottle body above the bottle hook portion.
 8. The hook-shaped water bottle of claim 7, wherein the top is operable to thread onto the open top end of the water bottle body.
 9. A method for carrying a water bottle comprising: providing a user with a water bottle, the water bottle having a water bottle body having an open top end, a top operable to removably attach to the open top end of the water bottle body, and a bottle hook portion extending from the water bottle body, the bottle hook portion forming a hook facing away from the open top end of the water bottle body; and disposing a portion of the water bottle below the bottle hook portion into the user's waistband, where the bottle hook portion retains the water bottle on the user's waistband.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the bottle hook portion is disposed where a volume inside the water bottle body below the bottle hook portion is greater than a volume inside the water bottle body above the bottle hook portion. 